Jeffco Education Association President John Ford, apparently, is now backing the sentiment of the Jeffco School Board majority when it comes to testing kids. Ford has requested a waiver for his children for the state-mandated Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and careers (PARCC) tests this year, as reported by Complete Colorado.
His move isn’t so odd as a parent – many parents think there is too much testing in schools these days. In fact, at one point, Ford even told the board:
“I believe these tests are hurting our kids. My wife and I made this decision because we truly believe these tests are toxic.”
But, it is odd when one considers that he has been one of the most obnoxious vitriolic audible voices against the Jefferson County School Board majority, which just recently brought forth a proposal to ask the state for a waiver on PARCC testing. In fact, when the School Board majority initially brought it up, union hench(wo)men other Board members Jill Fellman and Lesley Dahlkemper threw a fit.
Dahlkemper, employed by a Gates Foundation/Common Core proponent organization, flat out rejected the proposal laughably suggesting that it was “illegal”. Um, it’s not illegal to simply ask. But, of course, her husband is a lawyer and she would know that. The larger concern was likely her employer, which is a big promoter of these tests. Fellman actually abstained from the vote, which rumor has it, is verboten. Perhaps she was caught between a rock Dahlkemper and a hard place her constituents.
Nonetheless, it’s funny to see the President of JCEA supporting the Board majority, especially when he promised that January was going to be the month that the union would fight. But, if the union wants to fight to ensure kids get a great education, instead of its usual fight to preserve its crumbling power structure, who are we to disagree?